Venetian blind



April 27, 1943. L. c. WILLIAMS 2,317,659

VENETIAN BLIND Filed Aug. 25, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l l x INVENTR. l'lfiC Mu. 07/78 Patented Apr. 27; 1943 VENETIAN BLIND Lisle C. Williams,Memphis, Tenn., assignor of twenty per cent to J.

Heiskell Weather-ford,

Tenn.

H. Weatherford and Jr., both of Memphis,

Application August 25, 1941, Serial No. 408,158

9' Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in slatted blinds of theso-called Venetian type, having the usual ladder tapes for supportingthe slats, and provision for relatively shifting the tapes to vary theslat angles, and more particularly to means for detachably attaching theslats to the cross tapes of the ladder.

The primary object of the present invention is:

To provide simple and efficient means for detachably securing the slatsagainst displacement in the direction of their length in the laddertapes while allowing freedom against binding engagement with the crosstapes of the ladder during rotational shift of the slats.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished andthe method of their accomplishment will readily be understood from thefollowing specification on reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation showing upper and lower portionsof one side of a blind made and supported in accordance with myinvention; and

Fig. 2 a corresponding. fragmentary sectional plan taken on the line.IIII of Fig. 1, both figures showing the blind sunk into a window frameso that it lies between the side frames; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar fragmentary views of the opposite side of awindow frame and of a blind which overlaps the frame.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a modification ofthe type of supporting bracket for use where the blind is disposedwithin the window frame as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional plan showing a modified type of theattaching bracket shown in Fig. 4 and adapted for use where the blindoverlaps the window casing.

Fig. '7 is an additional fragmentary sectional plan showing a type ofbracket adapted for use where the blind lies between the side frames ofthe window, but is only partially sunk in the frame. Y

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan on an enlarged scale taken as on the lineVIII-VIII of Fig. 3 showing the slat approximately full size.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on the line IX-IX ofFig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken on the line X-X of Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional plan corresponding to Fig. 8 showing a modifiedtype of the slat attaching means.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional elevation .taken on the line XII-XIIof Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 a fragmentary sectional side elevation taken on the lineXIIIXIII of Figs. 11 and 12.

Fig. 14 is an inverted plan view showing a fragmentary portion of awooden slat provided with attaching means similar to that shown in Figs.11, 12 and 13; and

Fig. 15 a'reinverted section XV-XV of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a slat on a much reduced scale indicatingpositioning of the holdtaken on the line ing tongues at differingdistances'from the slat ends.

Fig. 17 is a perspective sketch showing a clip form of attaching meanssecured to the slat.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicatedby numerals:

2| is one side frame of a window. casing, 23.

an opposite side frame, and 25 the window sill.

The blind comprises a top rail 21, a bottom rail 29, slats 3| and laddertapes supporting these slats in uniformly spaced relation, the spacingvas usual being less than the slat widths so that the slats may beoscillatably shifted into overlapping relation and form a substantiallycomplete closure.

The ladder tapes, as usual, include side tapes 33, 33-A and 35, 35-A, inpairs with cross tapes 39, for the support of the' slats, the side tapesextending over and under the top and bottom rails respectively and beingfirmly secured there- The top rail has pins 4| projecting from itsopposite ends into engagement with suitably apertured brackets, as thebracket 43 of Fig. l, or the bracket 45 of Fig. 3. and the bottom rail,similar pins 41, in similar engagement as with corresponding brackets49. of Fig. 1,.or 5| of Fig. 3, depending as the case may be, on whetherthe blind be of the sunken or overlapping type.

These brackets may be of heavy and rigid type and the pins retractableand spring u rged, as shown in my Patent No. 2,206,196, to permitengagement. or the pins may be rigidly mounted in the rail ends and thebrackets be of resilient type and adapted for deflection to permit pinengagement as here intended to be indicated. Each bracket has a shankportion suitably apertured as for attaching screws as the screws 44 ofFig. 1, or screws 58 of Fig. ,5, and a tongue portion, apertured forreception of the pin4i, as the tongue portion, 42 of Fig. l, or thetongue portion 54 of Fig. 5. Preferably if resilient in each suchengagement a Washer, as the washer 53, is inserted between t e rail endand the bracket. In Fig. 7 the bFacket 55 is similarly adapted,depending on whether it be rigid or resilient, for either spring urgedpin engagement or the rigid type Pin and resilient bracket engagement,this type of bracket, depending on length of outward U-loop and inwarddistance therefrom of the pin receiving hole, providing forpartially-casing-sunk blinds.

In Figs. and 6, brackets 51 and 59 are shown which differ from thepreceding brackets in that i the U return loop of these brackets isomitted,

and no end thrust stop is provided for the pin, if it be spring urged.However, if the pin be shouldered to limit end thrust, this type bracketis adapted for use with either the spring urged or the rigid pin.

The slats 3|, as shown in enlarged detail in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive,are preferably of thin metal and are arcuately curved as shown in thecross sections, Figs. 10 and 13, to give longitudinal stifl'ness, thoughthey may be wooden slats 3l-A, shown in Fig. 14, in which case they areusually flat and of a thickness giving desired longitudinal stiffness.

In the form shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, oppositely facing tongues BI andIii-A are punched out adjacent one edge of the slat leaving open ings 63separated because of difllculty of manufacture by a narrow strip 65, thecross tape 39, in Fig. 8, being visible through these openings. Thesetongues, as most clearly shown in Fig. 9, are bent downward and thencetoward each other so that the end portions of the tongues are adapt edto underlie the cross tapes 39, the depression of the tongues beinggreat enough toloosely receive the tape without binding.

. Opposite the tongues 6|, 6lA the edges 6! of the slats may be slightlycurled to eifect stiffening of the slat and to reduce wear on the tapes.

In Figs. 11, 12 and 13 a modification is shown in which a separatetongue member or clip 69 is provided, this tongue member having itsopposite ends H curled over the edges of the slat to effect itssecurement thereto. In Fig. 11 a portion of the slat is brokenaway toshow the underlying clip. Tongues Bl-B, iii-C are punched out in thisclip leaving openings 63- -B, 63-C through which the underlying crosstape 39 is visible in Fig. 11. Preferably the tongues are punched out inofl-set relation, in such event it being possible to make the openings63B; 63-0 overlap, and the tongues themselves long enough, as indicatedin Fig. 12, to overlap. -The clip 69 is preferably fiat, that is, notbowed in conformity with t1: curvature of the slat, and the tonguesprojecting therefrom may be positioned centrally of the clip.

different distances from the opposite ends of the slats, as shown inFig. 16, the tongues Sl-X at one end of the slat being a distance fromthat end of the slat differing from the distance ofv the tongues 6l-Yfrom the opposite end of the slat by an amount in conformity with thedifference of cross tape positioning. Ordinarily tongue engagement witha cross tape is made with only one ladder, so that turning of alternateslats end for end will effect proper positionmg.

In all the view the slats are shown in horizontal position to simplifythe showing of the parts.

In setting up the device for use upper brackets, as of the type 43, andlower brackets, as of the type 49, where the blind is to be sunk in thewindow frame, are respectively positioned and secured at levels whichposition the upper rail 21 at the desired upper level, and the lowerrail V 29 at a correspondingly lower level adapted to hold the laddertapes 33,,-33A; 35, 35A substantially taut, or if the blind is of theoverlap- In Figs. 14 and 15 a member Bil-A, functioning as does the clip69, as a tongue carrier, is

shown in the form of a disc secured to the under-.

side of the wooden slat 3 IA, this member having facing tongues 6 l--D,Gl-E which are shown alined as are the tongues 8|, 6l-A, but whichpreferably'are off-set as are the tongues Bl-B, GI'C.

Fig. 17 shows a simpler form of clip 69-B bent to provide tongues iii-Fand Gil-G, and attached as by a rivet 13 to the slat 3l-B.

In the usual ladder tape now available in the market the cross tapes 39are staggered, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, that is, they liealternately toward the right and left sides of the tape and aretherefore at different distances from the ends of the slats. If the slatends are to be properly alined as they should be, this is preferpingtype brackets, as of the types 45 and 5|, are-similarly positioned.

The ladder tapes are secured to the opposite side tapes, as the tapes33, 33A, on opposite sides of the top rail and securely fastened theretoand likewise on opposite sides of the bottom rails and securely fastenedalso thereto, the distances between the two ladder tapes and theirpositioning along the rail being obviously established to conform to thetongue spaces of the slats. In securing the side tapes they arepreferably so positioned that the cross tapes which lie to the right ofone ladder are level with the corresponding cross tapes lying to theright of the other ladder, the left tapes of necessity being similarlycorrespondingly leveled up.

The upper rail of the bracket is slipped into place with the pins 4| inholding engagement with .the brackets and the lower rail is pushed downto effect holding engagement of the pins 41 in the lower brackets.

The slats are now placed between the tapes, each slat being supported bya pair of cross tapes. If the supporting cross tapes are to the rightthat end of the slat which has the tongues nearest the slat end isplaced to the right, the next overlying slat being turned end for endand the slats thereabove similarly alternated. Each slat as placed isconnected to the supporting cross tape by slipping the cross tape inbetween the tongues lying below the slat and the slat to be securedagainst longitudinal displacement relatively to the supporting tape andladder. 'I'he tongues on the opposite end of the slat may similarly beengaged with the related cross tapes, though if desired a single crosstape engagement will sufflce to prevent displacement, this latter factbeing of greatest advantage where one supporting cross tape is to theright and th opposite one through inadvertence or otherwise is to theleft of its ladder.

After the installation is complete the slats may be oscillated to open,intermediate or closed position by turning either the bottom or top railas may be more convenient.

At any time after installation any one or all the slats may be removedfor cleaning or washing by disengaging the cross tapes from the tongues.When shift of the slats is made they are so loosely held to the crosstapes by the tongues that they are free to adjust themselves along thecross tapes as conditions might require.

I claim:

including cross tapes, a slat adapted to rest on said cross tapes, saidslat having a pair of tongues downwardly extending in spaced relationand inwardly bent each toward the other, to lie along the side edges ofand to underlie the bottom of, said cross tape, the proximate endportions of said tongues being spaced to permit insertion or removal ofthe said cross tape fromTangagement by said tongues.

. 2. A slat in accordance with claim 1 in which said tongues are anintegral part of said slat.

3. A slat in accordance with claim 1 in which said tongues are formed asan integral part of a separate member and said member is secured to saidslat.

4. In a Venetian blind, having ladder tapes including staggered crosstapes, a slat adapted to rest on said cross tapes, said slat havingpairs of tongues disposed respectively in opposite end portions of saidslat, the respective distances of said tongue pairs from the relatedends of said slats diiiering by the amount of the stagger dis placementof said cross tapes, the tongues of each said pair extending downwardlyin spaced relation and being inwardly bent each toward the other, to liealong the side edges of and to underlie the bottom of, a said crosstape, the proximate end portions of said tongues being spaced to permitinsertion or removal of the said cross tape from engagement by saidtongues.

5. In a Venetian blind, having ladder tapes including cros tapes, a slatof sheet metal arcuately curved in cross section adapted to rest on saidcross tapes, said slat having a pair of tongues downwardly strucktherefrom in spaced relation and inwardly bent each toward the other, tolie along. the side edges of and to underlie the bottom of, a said crosstape, the proximate end portions of said tongues being spacedto permitinsertion or removal of the said cross tape from engagement thereby.

6. In a Venetian blind, having ladder tapes including staggered crosstapes, a slat of sheet metal arcuately curved in cross section adaptedto rest on said cross tapes, saidslat having pairs of tongues disposedrespectively in opposite end portions of said slat, the respectivedistances of said tongue pairs from the related ends of said slats,differing by the amount of the stagger displacement of said cross tapes,the tongues of each said pair being downwardly struck from said slat,inwardly bent each toward the other, in spaced relation to lie along theside edges of and tounderlie the bottom of, a said cross tape,- theproximate end portions of said tongues being spaced to permit insertionor removal of the said cross tape from engagement thereby.

7. A Venetian blind in accordance with claim 6 in which said oppositeend tongue pairs, respectively lie adjacent the opposite side edges ofsaid slat. I

8. In a Venetian blind, having ladder tapes including cross tapes, aslat of sheet metal arcuately curved in cross section adapted to besupported by said cross tapes, a clip of sheet metal disposedtransversely to said slat and secured thereto, said "clip having a pairof tongues downwardly struck therefrom and inwardly bent each toward theother, in relation spaced to lie along the side edges of and to underliethe bottom of, said cross tape, the proximate end portions of saidtongues being spaced to permit insertion or removal of the said crosstape from engagement thereby.

9. A Venetian blind in accordance with claim 8 in which the clip tonguesare displaced laterally with regard to the direction of tongue spacingto lie in side spaced relation.

LISLE c. WILLIAMS.

